About the Initiative

Inverkip Community Initiative was established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in October 2013 to establish, manage and maintain the new community facility for the benefit of the local community and surrounding areas. The organisation is a registered charity with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator

The Initiative plans to provide and improve services and facilities at a level which meets the needs of the community. The provision of the new facility creates opportunities for learning, sporting, health recreational and social activities and ultimately improve the quality of life and health and wellbeing of local residents. The Inverkip Community Initiative currently has 10 directors all from the local community.

The board meets monthly and its role is to support the day to day operational activities and oversee and plan the on going use of the facility and hub.

The board is currently made up of 10 people very dedicated to improving the hub and the services it offers.

MEET THE BOARD.............

Sarah Jane

Bill

Jim

Debbie

Malcolm

Frankie

Andy

JEAN

Valerie

Ross

Caitlin

Sarah Jane Gregson

Chair

Sarah Jane gained her BA in Community Development with Merit from the University of Glasgow and spent many years working within the voluntary sector for Inverclyde Development Community Trust. Deciding to specialise in young people, Sarah Jane started as Youth Support Worker at the Volunteer Centre and quickly progressed onto many other roles during her time there. Some of this included Youth Development Worker, New Deal Gateway to Work Trainer, Personal Development Trainer, and Woman’s Group Facilitator. She then left to pursue a career in the private sector taking on various management roles only to find herself back , bridging both sectors when she took on the role of Manager of the pilot Digital Inclusion Community Project , Poppins. It was here that she had a new found interest in social enterprise and also digital technologies and her passion for the third sector was reignited.

Sarah Jane is a keen volunteer in her community and is also on the board of another community organisation and also a Director of a Scottish culture blog. She is also interested in the role of digital technologies and social media in the Third Sector and how these can be used to share knowledge, make connections and build capacity.

Bill Stewart

VICE CHAIR

MANAGEMENT, FINANCE & GOVERNANCE

Bill works for Inverclyde CVS providing support to local Third Sector organisations. Previously he spent 4 years working as Development Manager for Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network. Bill also worked as Chief Executive for a cancer support charity as well as 30 years working in a variety of management positions in the computer industry.

Bill’s management, communication and organisational skills are important in his role as chair of Inverkip Community Initiative where his key responsibilities are community relations and engagement, liaising with stakeholders and funders and helping with the strategic development of the organisation. When he’s not doing any of the above Bill enjoys walking, golfing, travelling and the company of his family and in particular young grandchildren.

SECRETARY

To be Appointed.

Siobhan Donaldson

Treasurer

Siobhan started her career as a DJ in a local night club and after deciding to pursue a career in Accounting, she attended Reid Kerr College to acquire an HND in Accounting. In 2015, Siobhan graduated from University of West of Scotland with a BA (Hons) in Accounting while raising two young children and working full time for a local company in an accounting role. Shortly after graduating, Siobhan moved to Wemyss Bay where she is now a joint Director of a company, started in 2016 with her partner, which offers Bookkeeping & Accountancy as well as IT Consultancy services.

Jim McCabe

Community Engagement

Jim is a Detective Constable with Police Scotland where he has been employed for the past 20 years. Prior to this he worked in food retail as a Manager.

Jim lives locally and when not working enjoys an active outdoor life, walking his dogs, cycling, making the most of the local countryside and when weather permits enjoys nothing more than getting away in his campervan with his family and grandchildren.

Debbie Maloney

Younger & Older People

Debbie has lived in Inverkip since her early teenage years, she demonstrates a real dedication and desire to see the community facility succeed and bring new opportunities to Inverkip. Married wither 2 grown up children, she is fortunate to have the majority of her extended family living in Inverkip, all of whom have taken an active interest in village life and events in various guises, over the years. Debbie is an Occupational Therapist and runs a busy community team in Inverclyde.

Debbie is passionate about her role and her professional skills transfer exceptionally well to her voluntary position on the ICI board. Debbie’s management, communication and professional qualifications are all very important in her role on the board of Inverkip Community Initiative and as Chairperson of the Younger & Older Person’s Sub Group, where her key responsibilities are community relations and engagement within these particular age groups. Debbie’s hobbies include reading and gardening, socialising with friends and family and she is a very keen walker and relishes such a beautiful local area to explore at her leisure.

Malcolm McLean

Community Engagement, Sports, Health & Wellbeing, Fundraising

Malcolm moved to Inverkip in 2010 with his family. He grew up in Argyllshire and after studying Naval Architecture at Glasgow University he joined the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in Greenock in 2003, specialising in the field of ship stability, and has lived and worked in Inverclyde since then.

As a keen runner, cyclist, and walker, Malcolm enjoys taking advantage of the many opportunities to get outdoors which living in Inverkip offers.

Having been brought up in a small community, Malcolm has welcomed the chance to join the board of ICI at this exciting time to help in developing a new focal point for the village and local community.

Frankie Caldwell

Education, Governance & Management

Frankie has developed a multiple range of skills during a successful 27 year military career, and for the past 4 years as a small business owner and consultant. During his military career he served in areas of conflict where he developed strong organisational and communication skills as well as being accustomed to working individually, and as part of a team in high-tempo environments both in the UK and overseas. Resolute, calm and decisive when under pressure in all environments.

A strong background as an instructor, trainer, subject matter expert, and adviser on a wide range of subjects including procurement and small business management. Frankie spends some of his spare time as a veterans volunteer trying to improve the lives of veterans who have fallen into difficult times and need a helping hand in the transition from military to civilian life. Married to Kelly and navigating through the minefield of raising teenage twin girls.

ANDY Lynch

GOVERNANCE

Andy has worked in various parts of Scotland from the central belt to the Highlands and Islands. The job finally took him, his wife and daughter from Inverness to Inverkip some 25 years ago. After working in Greenock for ten years, he was transferred to Glasgow before retiring in November 2016. Shortly thereafter he joined the committee to help manage The Hub.

Personal interest in computers since 1984 (you must have heard of the ZX81, surely) have given him some familiarity with the workings of them and their software. This compliments the skill Cliff has in dealing with hardware problems that arise and they make a good team.

His main hobbies are camping and walking. These date back to the mid-90s when he first visited the Lake District. Over the years, he has visited The Highlands, The Dales and Northumberland all under canvas.

VALERIE CAMPBELL

VOLUNTEERING, EVENTS PLANNING AND COMMUNITY CONNECTING

Valerie is a mum to a young daughter and moved to Inverclyde in 2015 from Glasgow to be closer to her husband's family here. She currently works as a Community Link Worker based in a GP practice in Port Glasgow. Previous to this Valerie worked as a Volunteer Development Worker at The Trust, an Advocacy Worker for The Advocacy Project in Glasgow and an Activities Coordinator and support worker for older people in both Glasgow and West Lothian, where she is originally from. Valerie studied for her BA in Social Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University, she also has PDA in Training and Development, COSCA counselling skills and level 3 British Sign Language (BSL) qualification. Valerie has a passion for inclusivity, engagement and good communication. Valerie also volunteers for Wemyss Bay Community Association and enjoys swimming with Inverclyde Masters, crafting and cycling when she gets the chance.

JEAN ANDERSON

VOLUNTEERING, COMMUNITY AND ORGANISATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

I have lived in inverkip for over 20 years and have been on lots of committees within the village. These include Mother and Toddlers,Inverkip school PA , Inverkip Community Enterprise and for the last 7 years a Community Councillor. Furthermore I also volunteer with Compassionate Inverclyde.

I have now joined the board of Inverkip Hub , I hope to give the people of Inverkip lots of opportunities to have fun and be a part of a great village community by enjoying the wide range of activities offered at the hub .

ROSS KNIGHT

VOLUNTEERING

Ross has lived in Inverkip his whole life and is keen to engage with the community. He graduated from Glasgow University in 2015 after gaining a BSc in Physiology and Sports Science. He is now studying for a Masters in Physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University after gaining three years of experience working as a healthcare assistant. Ross has also been a volunteer sports coach for almost a decade mostly focusing his time on football coaching and conditioning classes. In his free time, he enjoys exercising and reading.

Caitlin Davidson

Fundraising

Caitlin has a BA in Social Policy from the University of Edinburgh, with a focus on the impact a community can have on health and quality of life at an early age. Caitlin has experience in fundraising, and in particular with trusts and foundations. She currently works at Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. Caitlin is involved in the 85th Greenock and District Scouts as an Assistant Leader of the Explorers, and enjoys working with young people. In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her cat and dogs.

CLIFF LYONS

It is with greatest sadness that Cliff sadly passed away on the 4th of June 2018 after a short Illness. ICI is forever grateful for the time and effort Cliff gave to the Board and also the generations donations he made to the Hub.

MEET OUR STAFF.....

Kevin

Martin

KEVIN Rodgers

CENTRE MANAGER

Prior to joining Inverkip Community Initiative as Centre Manager in October 2016, Kevin worked for Inverclyde Council overseeing the Greenock I Youth Zone and supporting CLD Youth Services. Previous experience in social care working with young people in secure units and 13 years as Project Co-ordinator at Branchton Community Centre Association. Initial post in Community work was at Larkfield Youth Café Project before moving on to Inverclyde Youth Council.

Kevin also worked as a mechanic for 10 years after leaving St Columba’s High School and attended James Watt College gaining HNC in Mechatronics before leaving the industry for a new career in Community work completing a BA in Community Development in 2002.

Originally from the Larkfield area of Inverclyde but has now stayed in Inverkip for the past 20 years. Kevin has previous experience of being on committees and supporting community groups which includes being chair person of Inverclyde Practitioners Forum for two years, 5 years coaching experience with Inverclyde Boys Football Club. Also currently a member of Greenock and District Angling Club.

MARTIN Mulholland

DEVELOPMENT WORKER

As a sports lecturer and a keen fitness enthusiast and coach, Martin has gained a lot of experience in coaching sports and working with children and young adults. This experience has helped him develop his people skills and has given him the confidence and the opportunity to work within the education and leisure sectors and community centres and clubs within the local area.

Martin has a very enthusiastic personality and has extensive experience across all areas of business and community development. He demonstrates a strong ability to manage projects from conception through to successful completion and is able to develop and motivate others to achieve. He is a very proactive individual with a logical approach to all challenges.

Married to Hiltje, he has 3 grown up children and likes nothing better than spending time with his family at home or at his caravan In Ardentinny.

He enjoys long walks with his pal Ralf (The Spoodle) and also enjoys a good competitive game of pool. Martin added “I will win😉”